Tips for being active

• Spend time playing with children.
• Play music to encourage movement.
• Choose ‘active’ toys that encourage reaching, stretching, crawling and moving.
• Play push and pull games with balls and soft toys.
• Encourage movement and play during bath time.

• Choose ‘active’ toys that encourage movement and help develop skills like running, kicking, throwing and catching.
• Playing with balloons, hide-and-seek, jumping games and digging in a sandpit encourage physical activity.
• Walk or cycle to everyday places such as school and childcare.

• Keep balls, frisbees or kites handy and you will always be ready for action.
• Encourage children to replace time spent using electronic media with active play.
• Give ‘active’ gifts such as bats, balls, skipping ropes and scooters or bikes.
• Encourage walking, skateboarding, scooting or riding to school.
• Sign up to the local Walking School Bus.
• Support participation in sports – team and/or individual.
• Get children to walk the dog (and tag along as well).
• Play music for dancing.

Better Health Program

Better Health Program (external site) is a free healthy living program for kids above a healthy weight, running across the Perth Metropolitan region. This fun and interactive program helps children aged between 7 and 13 years and their families to adopt a long-lasting healthy lifestyle. The program focuses on improving:

• eating habits
• fitness
• teamwork
• overall health.

• Make small changes and move more throughout the day.
• Choose activities you enjoy.
• Make physical activity part of your daily routine – walk during lunch, cycle or take public transport to work.
• Start a walking group with friends or family.
• Start slowly and safely. Check with your doctor if you have concerns.

• Look for opportunities for incidental activity, for example housework, walking to the shops, gardening and vacuuming.
• Try golf, lawn bowls, bocce, dancing or other social activities.
• Join a walking group. For more information visit the Heart Foundation website (external site).

• Do active chores, such as washing the car, vacuuming, and gardening.
• Watch less TV and limit recreational computer use.
• Stand while talking on the phone.
• Stand up to change TV channels.
• Be a positive role model for your children. Join in with games and other active pursuits.

• Walk or cycle to work. If it’s too far, drive half way and walk or cycle the rest of the way.
• Take public transport and get off the bus or train early and walk.
• Schedule walk and talk meetings, or at least stand for some of the time.
• Park your car further away from your destination and walk.
• Take the stairs at every opportunity.
• Alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
• Walk to deliver a message, rather than using email.
• Print documents to the furthest printer.

• Walk the dog.
• Walk the children to school.
• Ride your bike or walk to the shops.
• Picnic in the local park (and walk there).
• See what activities your local recreation centre offers.
• Organise active outings such as bush walking, bike riding and going to the zoo.
• Swim at the beach or your local pool.